Bangladesh opts to bowl first against Zimbabwe in 1st T20I

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto put Zimbabwe into bat first after winning the toss in the five-match T20 International series opening game today (May 3) at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.

Tanzid Hasan Tamim made a T20 debut after playing 15 ODIs for Bangladesh. His performance in BPL was key in giving him the T20 cap.

The hosts also recalled pace bowling allrounder Mohammad Saifuddin who played his last T20 in October, 2022.

“It looks like a fresh wicket. We are expecting seam and swing early. They (Saifuddin and Tanzid) did really well in the last couple of matches, along with Mahedi Hasan,” Shanto said after toss.

Bangladesh is without pacer Mustafizur  Rahman and allrounder Shakib Al Hasan as they were rested from the first three matches against Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe has also a debutant in wicket-keeper batter Joylord Gumbie who played 12 ODIs for the side.

“Wickets seem good. We are sick and tired of playing qualifiers. We need to enhance our ranking points. We have Gumbie making his debut,” Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza said.

Line Ups:

Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Liton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Rishad Hossain, Jaker Ali Anik, Mohammad Saifuddin.

Zimbabwe: Sikandar Raza (capt), Craig Ervine, Joylord Gumbie, Brian Bennet, Sean Williams, Clive Mandande, Luke Jongwe, Wellington Masakadza, Ryan Burl, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava.